Booth Id:
MCRO042T
Category:
Microbiology
Year:
2024
Finalist Names:
Colburn, Lukas (School: Grants High School)
Tortalita, Ryan (School: Grants High School)
Abstract:
The researchers conducted experiments using Pestalotiopsis microspora in which the
researchers created a non-toxic biodegradable process of decomposing plastic for a nutrient
source and re-fertilizing soil. P. microspora is a fungus that is native to the Amazon Rainforest, it
grows best at 20-24 Celsius placed at 90% humidity. We used 2cc of culture for our agar plates
and put 2x2 centimeter pieces of plastic placed on each petri dish quadrant. The researchers
hypothesized that spores would grow and thrive using plastics as an additional nutrient source.
The null hypothesis was that the spores would not grow using plastic and the plastic would look
the same as when placed onto each quadrant of the agar plates. All growth areas of the plastic
measured ~1mm in size. The alternate hypothesis was proven correct since over the 3 week span
the culture not only grew but thrived filling the agar plate, while degrading the plastic edges
which were decomposing and dissolving the plastic. This mushroom can also be grown in soil
using the plastic as a nutrient to re-fertilize the soil. The culture P.microspora did grow and
thrive whilst the plastic got smaller, showing holes with wavy edges where it was digested,
decomposed, and reduced over the 3 week growth period.